And all the congregation brought him without the camp, and stoned him with stones, and he died; as the LORD commanded Moses.

NUMBERS 15:36KJV
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Numbers 15:36 (KJV)

What does Numbers 15:36 mean?

Numbers 15:36 describes how the entire community of Israel took a man outside their camp and killed him by stoning, following the direct command that the LORD gave to Moses. This action was carried out as a response to the man’s violation of God’s law, showing the seriousness with which the community was to treat such offenses.

In this verse, the people are not acting on their own authority but are carrying out a specific instruction from the LORD (H3068) through Moses (H4872). The situation comes after the man was found gathering sticks on the Sabbath, which was forbidden. The verse highlights the collective responsibility of the congregation (עֵדָה, `edah, H5712) and the importance of obeying God’s commands in the life of ancient Israel.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 15:36

  • עֵדָה (`edah, H5712) — "congregation": This word refers to the whole assembly or community of Israel, emphasizing that the responsibility and action were shared by everyone, not just a few leaders.
  • חוּץ (ḥuts, H2351) — "without": This means "outside" or "beyond," showing that the punishment took place outside the camp (מַחֲנֶה, maḥaneh, H4264), separating the offender from the community’s daily life and holiness.
  • רָגַם (ragam, H7275) — "stoned": This verb means to kill by throwing stones, a method of execution that involved the community and was used for certain serious violations of the law.
  • צִוָּה (tsivvah, H6680) — "commanded": This word shows that the action was not arbitrary but was done strictly because the LORD instructed Moses, underlining the authority behind the event.

Why Numbers 15:36 matters

  • Numbers 15:36 clarifies that the punishment was not decided by Moses or the people alone, but was a direct fulfillment of God’s command, which helps avoid the misunderstanding that this was a human-driven act of vengeance.
  • The verse highlights the collective role of the congregation in upholding the law, showing that obedience and discipline were community responsibilities in ancient Israel.
  • This verse connects to the wider passage by showing the seriousness of Sabbath observance and the consequences of breaking God’s commandments, reinforcing the theme of holiness and obedience in Israel’s life.

Where else these words appear

“stoned” Hebrew H7275 · used in 15 verses

  • Leviticus 20:2 Again, thou shalt say to the children of Israel, Whosoever he be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn in Israel, that giveth any of his seed unto Molech; he shall surely be put to death: the people of the land shall stone him with stones.
  • Leviticus 24:23 And Moses spake to the children of Israel, that they should bring forth him that had cursed out of the camp, and stone him with stones. And the children of Israel did as the LORD commanded Moses.
  • 1 Kings 12:18 Then king Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was over the tribute; and all Israel stoned him with stones, that he died. Therefore king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem.

“congregation” Hebrew H5712 · used in 140 verses

  • Exodus 12:3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:
  • Numbers 15:24 Then it shall be, if ought be committed by ignorance without the knowledge of the congregation, that all the congregation shall offer one young bullock for a burnt offering, for a sweet savour unto the LORD, with his meat offering, and his drink offering, according to the manner, and one kid of the goats for a sin offering.
  • Numbers 31:16 Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD.